Utah with 5yo

[pandorica]

I'm leaving for a short trip to Utah next week and I'm very unprepared! DD1 (5) and I are tagging along with H to a conference, so it will it be just me and DD most of the time. We're flying into SLC Tues and leaving Friday. We are staying in Midway, I think it's about an hour southeast (?) of SLC.

Any suggestions on what to do? I'm hoping for decent weather and would love to spend a lot of time outside and hiking or at nature centers etc. None of us have been to Utah and we're from the northeast, so really want to soak in the different landscape/habitats!

[EvieEthelGarland]

Will you have a car? I'd definitely plan on a day in Park City. If you want really different landscapes and aren't put off by a full day of driving, I'd go to Capital Reef National Park for the day. There's a couple of shorter hike options and the pies near Torrey, but it will be about 6 hours roundtrip. Moab is about as far, but is a lot more crowded.

[InBetweenDays]

I've only been there in the winter for skiing so I don't have recommendations. But be prepared for snow. The forecast looks beautiful next week, but I know the ski areas are still getting quite a bit of snow (Snowbird got more than 2' so far in this current storm). So I'm guessing they'll still have snow on the ground on some hiking trails, etc.

[nsl]

It is freaking freezing here right now, so I'd check the weather before you pack because these temperatures are not typical for SLC this time of year. The current forecast for next week looks better, but I also just drove home through a snow squall, so who knows.

Around the Salt Lake area I'd recommend the Hogle Zoo (up near the University of Utah), Living Planet Aquarium, and Thanksgiving Point. The Natural History Museum of Utah is also excellent, but the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point will be far more entertaining for your 5 year old. They also have a great climbing/play area down there that my kids adored at that age. Millcreek Canyon has some nice short hikes as well as a lot of picnic areas if you want to get a taste of canyon life without battling the skiiers up Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons. If you do go up either of those, do NOT get caught there after 3 pm or you will run into awful downhill traffic even on weekdays. With this new batch of snow the hardcore skiiers are still taking full advantage of their season passes.

If you're downtown and in the mood for a show, I'd check to see if there's anything playing at the Eccles Theater, Abravanel Hall, or the Delta Center. I think we're between Broadway touring shows, and I know I saw a poster for an upcoming Sesame Street show when I was at the Eccles two weeks ago.

Midway is in the mountains and it's a gorgeous area. Be warned, though, that there very well may be snow on the ground up there even if it's warm and in the 70's in the valley. You'll practically drive through Park City to get from Midway to SLC and back, and it's a fun place to walk around even during the shoulder season. Lots of places up there do close this time of year, but there's a small museum that can be fun, and the Olympic Training Center is excellent. I'm not sure if the ski jumpers train in the pool in April--going up to see them is my favorite thing to do with guests when it's warm--but there's a fantastic museum with some interactive exhibits that your 5 year old might really like.

If your daughter can stand the car ride, Capitol Reef is absolutely gorgeous. The scenery between here and there is pretty dull, but IMO it's worth it. On the off chance you're interested in an overnight, I'll also recommend Dinosaur National Monument which is 4 hours away from the city. It's got one of the highest concentrations of dinosaur fossils anywhere in the world, and the old visitor's center (which is still open and a must-visit) is built over a hillside that's nothing but bones. It's very cool, and the town of Vernal is basically dinosaur themed.

ETA: I never recommend people visit the Great Salt Lake because it smells and most non-Utahns expect beaches on a lake of that size, but Antelope Island is a really interesting place with bison and antelope that's just a short drive once you hit the causeway. If your daughter is a wildlife lover it's worth a trip.

[InBetweenDays]

May 7, 2024 17:18:56 GMT -5 nsl said:

It is freaking freezing here right now, so I'd check the weather before you pack because these temperatures are not typical for SLC this time of year. The current forecast for next week looks better, but I also just drove home through a snow squall, so who knows.

Around the Salt Lake area I'd recommend the Hogle Zoo (up near the University of Utah), Living Planet Aquarium, and Thanksgiving Point. The Natural History Museum of Utah is also excellent, but the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point will be far more entertaining for your 5 year old. They also have a great climbing/play area down there that my kids adored at that age. Millcreek Canyon has some nice short hikes as well as a lot of picnic areas if you want to get a taste of canyon life without battling the skiiers up Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons. If you do go up either of those, do NOT get caught there after 3 pm or you will run into awful downhill traffic even on weekdays. With this new batch of snow the hardcore skiiers are still taking full advantage of their season passes.

Next week it shouldn't be bad - at least midweek. Alta is closed for the season, Solitude is scheduled to close Sunday, and Snowbird will only be open weekends after May 12th. So midweek it would only be Brighton. 

[pandorica]

Thanks all! Great suggestions and tips.

We will have a car. However since we have such little time there (only two full days with 6+ hour travel days on either end) I don't want to travel too far. I REALLY wanted to make a national park trip work, but I think it will be just too much for DD. If I was solo I totally would.

[nsl]

One other place you might want to visit is Red Butte Gardens. They're up at the university (close to the zoo--you could hit both in one day easily) and are also nestled right up in the foothills. The Jordan River Nature Center is supposed to be nice (disclaimer: I've never visited myself), and Tracy Aviary at Liberty Park is also a great spot for kids.

[niemand88f]

In addition to the great suggestions up thread, these 2 are closer to or in Midway: 

Utah Crater hot spring 

Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter, - some indoor exhibits, lots of trails. Right next to some shops & restaurants that you can walk around 

[minzy]

I don’t know how much the 5 year old would like it but the Bonneville Salt Flats were pretty cool (other worldly if you aren’t able to hit a national park) and could make a half day trip from the Salt Lake area. You could cross into the little town in Nevada for food (and I think I saw a little free library there) before going back. www.utah.com/destinations/natural-areas/bonneville-salt-flats/

[lillaguma]

Something we enjoyed that I didn't see mentioned is the Clark Planetarium, bonus that it's free. If you have crummy weather you could spend two hours or so there.

[gardengal]

I ditto Antelope Island. Great Salt Lake is fairly disappointing & smelly/buggy (and, frankly, disturbing in how little water is in it compared to the past) but Antelope Island has some nice walks & loads of bison. Especially if you’re an East Coaster, it’s an impressive sight!

I’m not exactly sure how to find them but we really enjoyed the BLM sites we visited in UT. They were all further south & our Airbnb had pamphlets on them. But we basically had the place to ourselves to see ruins of an old town and Native American glyphs (I forget the correct term). Maybe see if there’s something within a decent distance of where you’re staying?

[laurack]

We loved our visit to the homestead crater. Also really enjoyed the Hogle Zoo!

[pandorica]

May 8, 2024 21:12:09 GMT -5 laurack said:

We loved our visit to the homestead crater. Also really enjoyed the Hogle Zoo!

We're actually staying at the resort with the crater! Did you just swim?

[laurack]

May 10, 2024 11:27:12 GMT -5 pandorica said:

May 8, 2024 21:12:09 GMT -5 laurack said:

We loved our visit to the homestead crater. Also really enjoyed the Hogle Zoo!

We're actually staying at the resort with the crater! Did you just swim?

Yes we just swam and also got the snorkels so we could watch people dive! It was very fun and the kids loved it.